LINKSYS WUSBF54G Users Manual
A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc.
®
2.4
Model No.
GHz
802.11g
WIRELESS
WUSBF54G
Wireless-G
USB Network Adapter
User Guide
with Wi-Fi Finder
Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder
Copyright and Trademarks
Specifications are subject to change without notice. Linksys is a registered trademark or trademark of Cisco
Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and certain other countries. Copyright © 2005 Cisco Systems, Inc. All
rights reserved. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders.
WARNING: This product contains chemicals, including lead, known
to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
How to Use this User Guide
This User Guide has been designed to make understanding networking with the Wireless-G USB Network Adapter
with Wi-Fi Finder easier than ever. Look for the following items when reading this User Guide:
This checkmark means there is a Note of interest and is something you should pay special
attention to while using the Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder.
This exclamation point means there is a Caution or warning and is something that could
damage your property or the Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder.
This question mark provides you with a reminder about something you might need
to do while using the Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder.
In addition to these symbols, there are definitions for technical terms that are presented like this:
word: definition.
Also, each figure (diagram, screenshot, or other image) is provided with a figure number and description, like
this:
Figure 0-1: Sample Figure Description
Figure numbers and descriptions can also be found in the "List of Figures" section in the “Table of Contents”.
WUSBF54G-UG-50810NC BW
Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
Welcome 1
What’s in this Guide? 2
Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network 4
Network Topology 4
Roaming 4
Network Layout 5
Chapter 3: Getting to Know and Using the Wireless-G Network Adapter
with Wi-Fi Finder 6
The Front Panel 6
Using the Wi-Fi Finder 7
The Side Panels 8
Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-G USB Network Adapter
with Wi-Fi Finder 9
Starting the Setup Wizard 9
Connecting the Adapter 10
Setting Up the Adapter 10
Chapter 5: Using the Wireless Network Monitor 20
Accessing the Wireless Network Monitor 20
Link Information Screens 20
Site Survey 23
Profiles 24
Creating a New Profile 25
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 35
Common Problems and Solutions 35
Frequently Asked Questions 36
Appendix B: Using Windows XP Wireless Configuration 39
Appendix C: Wireless Security 42
Security Precautions 42
Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks 42
Appendix D: Windows Help 45
Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder
Appendix E: Glossary 46
Appendix F: Specifications 53
Appendix G: Warranty Information 54
Appendix H: Regulatory Information 55
Appendix I: Contact Information 57
Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder
List of Figures
Figure 3-1: Front Panel 6
Figure 3-2: Wi-Fi Finder’s Wireless Network Screen 7
Figure 3-3: Wi-Fi Finder’s ON/OFF Switch and Buttons 8
Figure 4-1: Setup Wizard’s Welcome Screen 9
Figure 4-2: Setup Wizard’s License Agreement 9
Figure 4-3: The Connecting the Adapter Screen 10
Figure 4-4: Available Wireless Network 10
Figure 4-5: Available Wireless Network 11
Figure 4-6: Wireless Security - WEP 11
Figure 4-7: Wireless Security - WPA Personal 12
Figure 4-8: Congratulations 12
Figure 4-9: Available Wireless Network 13
Figure 4-10: Network Settings 13
Figure 4-11: Wireless Mode 14
Figure 4-12: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings 14
Figure 4-13: Wireless Security 15
Figure 4-14: Wireless Security - WEP 15
Figure 4-15: Wireless Security - WPA Personal 16
Figure 4-16: Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise - EAP-TLS 17
Figure 4-17: Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise - PEAP 17
Figure 4-18: Wireless Security - RADIUS - EAP-TLS 18
Figure 4-19: Wireless Security - RADIUS - PEAP 18
Figure 4-20: Confirm New Settings 19
Figure 4-21: Congratulations 19
Figure 5-1: Wireless Network Monitor Icon 20
Figure 5-2: Link Information 20
Figure 5-3: More Information - Wireless Network Status 21
Figure 5-4: More Information - Wireless Network Statistics 22
Figure 5-5: Site Survey 23
Figure 5-6: WEP Key Needed for Connection 23
Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder
Figure 5-7: WPA-Personal Needed for Connection 23
Figure 5-8: Profiles 24
Figure 5-9: Import a Profile 24
Figure 5-10: Export a Profile 24
Figure 5-11: Create a New Profile 25
Figure 5-12: Available Wireless Network 25
Figure 5-13: Available Wireless Network 26
Figure 5-14: WEP Key Needed for Connection 26
Figure 5-15: WPA-Personal Needed for Connection 27
Figure 5-16: The Congratulations Screen 27
Figure 5-17: Available Wireless Network 28
Figure 5-18: Network Settings 28
Figure 5-19: Wireless Mode 29
Figure 5-20: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings 29
Figure 5-21: Wireless Security 30
Figure 5-22: Wireless Security - WEP 30
Figure 5-23: Wireless Security - WPA Personal 31
Figure 5-24: Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise - EAP-TLS 32
Figure 5-25: Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise - PEAP 32
Figure 5-26: Wireless Security - RADIUS - EAP-TLS 33
Figure 5-27: Wireless Security - RADIUS - PEAP 33
Figure 5-28: Confirm New Settings 34
Figure 5-29: The Congratulations Screen 34
Figure B-1: Wireless Network Monitor Icon 39
Figure B-2: Windows XP - Use Windows XP Wireless Configuration 39
Figure B-3: Windows XP Wireless Configuration Icon 39
Figure B-4: Available Wireless Network 40
Figure B-5: No Wireless Security 40
Figure B-6: Network Connection - Wireless Security 41
Figure B-7: Wireless Network Connection 41
Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
Thank you for choosing the Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder. With this Adapter, your wireless
networking experience will be faster and easier than ever.
How does the Adapter do this? Like all wireless products, the Adapter allows for greater range and mobility
within your wireless network. Connecting to your PC via the USB port means that this Adapter leaves the PC’s
slots open for other purposes. This adapter communicates over the 802.11g wireless standard, one of the newest
wireless standards, to communicate with your network. It also has a convenient Wi-Fi Finder that enables you to
find an available wireless network to connect to with just a click of a button.
But what does all of this mean?
Networks are useful tools for sharing computer resources. You can access one printer from different computers
and access data located on another computer's hard drive. Networks are even used for playing multiplayer video
games. So, networks are not only useful in homes and offices, they can also be fun.
PCs equipped with wireless cards and adapters can communicate without cumbersome cables. By sharing the
same wireless settings, within their transmission radius, they form a wireless network.
Use the instructions in this Guide to help you connect the Adapter, set it up, and configure it for your network.
These instructions should be all you need to get the most out of the Adapter.
network: a series of computers or devices
connected for the purpose of data sharing, storage,
and/or transmission between users.
adapter: a device that adds network functionality to your PC.
802.11g: an IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a
maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps, an operating frequency
of 2.4GHz, and backward compatibility with 802.11b devices.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
1
Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder
What’s in this Guide?
This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder.
• Chapter 1: Introduction
This chapter describes the Adapter’s applications and this User Guide.
• Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network
This chapter discusses a few of the basics about wireless networking.
• Chapter 3: Setting Up and Connecting the Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder.
This chapter shows you how to setup and connect the Adapter.
• Chapter 4: Using the Wireless Network Monitor
This chapter show you how to use the Adapter’s Wireless Network Monitor.
• Appendix A: Troubleshooting
This appendix describes some problems and solutions, as well as frequently asked questions, regarding
installation and use of the Adapter.
• Appendix B: Using Windows XP Wireless Configuration
This appendix describes how Windows XP users can use Window’s built-in wireless configuration to monitor
their Adapter.
• Appendix C: Wireless Security
This appendix discusses security issues regarding wireless networking and measures you can take to help
protect your wireless network.
• Appendix D: Windows Help
This appendix describes how you can use Windows Help for instructions about networking, such as installing
the TCP/IP protocol.
• Appendix E: Glossary
This appendix gives a brief glossary of terms frequently used in networking.
• Appendix F: Specifications
This appendix provides the Adapter’s technical specifications.
• Appendix G: Warranty Information
This appendix supplies the Adapter’s warranty information.
Chapter 1: Introduction
What’s in this Guide?
2
Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder
• Appendix H: Regulatory Information
This appendix supplies the Adapter’s regulatory information.
• Appendix I: Contact Information
This appendix provides contact information for a variety of Linksys resources, including Technical Support.
Chapter 1: Introduction
What’s in this Guide?
3
Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder
Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network
Network Topology
A wireless network is a group of computers, each equipped with one wireless adapter. Computers in a wireless
network must be configured to share the same radio channel. Several PCs equipped with wireless cards or
adapters can communicate with one another to form an ad-hoc network.
Linksys wireless adapters also provide users access to a wired network when using an access point or wireless
router. An integrated wireless and wired network is called an infrastructure network. Each wireless PC in an
infrastructure network can talk to any computer in a wired network infrastructure via the access point or wireless
router.
An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of a wireless PC to a wired network, and can double the
effective wireless transmission range for two wireless adapter PCs. Since an access point is able to forward data
within a network, the effective transmission range in an infrastructure network can be doubled.
Roaming
Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. Roaming means that you can move your
wireless PC within your network and the access points will pick up the wireless PC's signal, providing that they
both share the same channel and SSID.
Before enabling you consider roaming, choose a feasible radio channel and optimum access point position.
Proper access point positioning combined with a clear radio signal will greatly enhance performance.
ad-hoc: a group of wireless devices
communicating directly with each other (peerto-peer) without the use of an access point
access point: device that allows wirelessequipped computers and other devices to
communicate with a wired network.
infrastructure: Configuration in which a
wireless network is bridged to a wired
network via an access point.
roaming: the ability to take a wireless
device from one access point's range to
another without losing the connection.
ssid: your wireless network’s name
Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network
Network Topology
4
Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder
Network Layout
Linksys wireless access points and wireless routers have been designed for use with 802.11a, 802.11b, and
802.11g products. With 802.11g products communicating with the 802.11b standard and some products
incorporating both “a” and “g”, products using these standards can communicate with each other.
Access points and wireless routers are compatible with 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g adapters, such at the PC
Cards for your laptop computers, PCI Card for your desktop PC, and USB Adapters for when you want to enjoy USB
connectivity. Wireless products will also communicate with the wireless PrintServer.
When you wish to connect your wired network with your wireless network, network ports on access points and
wireless routers can be connected to any of Linksys's switches or routers.
With these, and many other, Linksys products, your networking options are limitless. Go to the Linksys website at
www.linksys.com for more information about wireless products.
802.11a: A wireless networking standard that specifies a
maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps and an operating
frequency of 5GHz.
802.11b: A wireless networking standard that specifies a
maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating
frequency of 2.4GHz.
802.11g: an IEEE wireless networking standard that
specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps and
an operating frequency of 2.4GHz. It is backward
compatibility with 802.11b devices.
switch: device that is the central point of connection for
computers and other devices in a network, so data can
be shared at full transmission speeds.
router: a networking device that connects multiple
networks together, such as a local network and the
Internet.
Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network
Network Layout
5
Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder
Chapter 3: Getting to Know and Using the Wireless-G
Network Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder
The Front Panel
The Network Adapter's LEDs and Wi-Fi Finder LCD screen are located on the Front Panel.
Wi-Fi Finder’s
Wireless
Network Screen
Link LED
Figure 3-1: Front Panel
LEDs
Power Green. The Power LED lights up when the Adapter is powered on.
Link Green. The Link LED lights up when there is wireless activity.
Power LED
USB
Connector
Chapter 3: Getting to Know and Using the Wireless-G Network Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder
The Front Panel
6
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